Grasshoppers' top-of-the-table clash turned out to be what is at best described as a game for the connoisseur, i.e. not much of a spectacle.

Two evenly matched teams conducted a battle of attrition, the intensity of which was reflected in the number of stoppages for injury and both sides lost a key player early in the game.

Hoppers started confidently and they had the advantage in the tight with the visiting eight suffering the indignity of being pushed back at a rate of knots several times during the opening exchanges.

After 10 minutes, the Nun's problems were compounded when scrum-half Thomas had to leave the field with a broken ankle, full back Glackin deputising, but things were evened out when, 5 minutes later, influential skipper Rich Morton was also sidelined with a shin injury, Andy Dockray the replacement. Hoppers' pressure at last paid off and Paul Bailey kicked his side ahead with penalties in the 20th and 25th minutes.

Two minute later however, Nuneaton's quickly taken tap caught out Hoppers' cover and centre Reed touched down for fly half Cullen to convert.

As half time loomed tempers flared and after consulting his touch judge, referee Robinson sent Cull to the sin bin. Bailey could not capitalise on the penalty and the visitors were 7-6 to the good at the break.

Hoppers started the second period strongly and retook the lead in the first minute with a fine individual try from Olly Viney. The full back broke from midfield, cleverly chipped ahead and outpaced the defence to touch down at the posts for Bailey to convert but soon after Hoppers were forced to infringe and Cull's penalty made the score 13-10.

After 20 minutes, Cull levelled the score with his second penalty but stalemate persisted for the rest of the game but in the final seconds, first Bailey was just wide with a long-range penalty and then Darren Wilson's pace saved the day for Hoppers when he won the chase to touch down a kick through.

Both sides therefore remain unbeaten, but Nuneaton were probably happier with the draw than Hoppers who this weekend travel to Hull Ionians.

Final score: Preston Grasshoppers 13 Nuneaton 13